Broadcasting receiver for receiving and regenerating records of digital broadcasting

ABSTRACT

A broadcasting receiver for setting beforehand, a threshold of free disk space of a file system on a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), detection of record termination of a specified program investigates the free disk space of the HDD. The present free disk space is compared with the threshold level of free disk space set up beforehand. If the present free disk space is smaller than the threshold level, a message indicating the free disk space has decreased is displayed automatically, and, if necessary, the present free disk space is displayed simultaneously.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to broadcasting receiver whichperforms reception and record regeneration of digital broadcasting and,more particularly, to digital-broadcasting integrated receiver decoderhaving mass storage media in which many files with big amount ofinformation are stored.

(2) Description of the Related Art

In digital broadcasting, it can many channelize by coding andpacketizing signal with various service arrangements such as video,audio, and data, and carrying out multiplex transmission of those. Aboutcoding methods and these multiplexing methods of video and audio, thereis Moving Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) which is internationalstandardized specification.

As an example which applied such MPEG specification todigital-broadcasting system, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standardupon which it was decided in Europe is actually mentioned. DVB standardis widely recruited in every country in the world now as an industry defacto standard in each digital-broadcasting method ofsatellite/cable/ground. Especially, with regard to multiplexing method,application extension of the Transport Stream (TS) which ismultiple-signal form of MPEG-2 Systems is carried out. In TSspecification of MPEG-2 Systems, Transmission format of demultiplexinginformation called Program Specific Information (PSI) being capable ofdescribing structure of two or more multiplexed programs is specified,and PSI is multiplexed in the form of fixed-length packet with video,audio, etc.

In addition to PSI, at DVB, the transmission format of relatedinformation of broadcast service at large called Service Information(SI) is specified in form based on TS specification of MPEG-2 Systemsand SI is multiplexed. In receiving side, user can be provided withvarious functions by acquiring and using these information.

Now, especially integrated receiver decoder that receives and processessuch a digital broadcasting signal is called set top box or IntegratedReceiver Decoder (IRD). Then, in case of digitally recording contents ofdigital broadcasting, the IRD can be connected to storage media, such asHard Disk Drive (HDD) and Digital Versatile Disk Random Access DriveDevice (DVD-RAM) drive unit.

Since video signal is mainly dealt with for hours in digitalbroadcasting, generally the contents constitutes mass data of gigabyteorder, and needs reservation of sufficient free disk space whichbalances this beforehand for mass storage media.

However, user does not notice deficiency of free disk space, dataprocessing for reserving free disk space, even if user notices, such asselection of object file and backup, takes time and effort, user failsin record or there is threat of deleting required file accidentally.

As mentioned above, there is a problem that specified all contents isunrecordable, if capacity value which can be beforehand used for storagemedia is not fully secured in conventional digital broadcastingintegrated receiver decoder. It is considered to digitally recordingcontents of digital broadcasting on storage media, such as HDD andDVD-RAM. Moreover, generally in digital broadcasting integrated receiverdecoder, information of recorded program is abundant and each ofrecorded files is also large.

Therefore, even if storage media with very large recordable capacity wasused, when not running efficiently, usable capacity become less easilyand user's request of wanting recording favorite program and watching itanytime was not able to be complied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There, main purpose of the invention is providing broadcasting receiverwhich suppresses amount of information recorded in storage media as muchas possible by supervising recorded file and running it appropriately,and realizes user's request of wanting recording favorite program andwatching it anytime.

Other purpose of the invention is providing broadcasting receiver whichcan reduce failure of record transaction which processes so thatcapacity in which use on storage media is possible may be securedbeforehand, or promotes user's transaction efficiently and effectively,and originates in deficiency of capacity which can be used by this.

In order to attain the above-mentioned purposes, the broadcastingreceiver by the present invention, comprises of:

program selection means for choosing signal of at least one program fromdigital broadcasting signals received, program record means for creatingfile or directory to storage media, and for recording the program chosenby said program selection means; related information administrationmeans for controlling and updating information relevant to record andplayback of the program recorded in the storage media by the programrecord means; and related information display control means forcontrolling display of the related information of record playbackcontrolled and updated by the related information administration means.The alarm gives caution to user.

Moreover, related information administration means presents user relatedinformation effective in deletion or move using the attribute of file ordirectory of program . Thereby, user can secure free disk space nowefficiently.

Furthermore, record program signal administration means checks almostperiodically use status of storage media, and status of recorded file.Thereby, free disk space of storage media can be expanded now withoutuser's annoyance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of digital broadcasting integrated receiverdecoder that implements the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart which shows flowing of transaction of embodiment1 concerning the invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of display of the aboveembodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows flowing of transaction of embodiment2 concerning the invention.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing example of display of the above embodiment2.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the attribute of expiry date of file used byembodiment 3 concerning the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart which shows flowing of transaction of theembodiment 3 concerning the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart which shows flowing of transaction of embodiment4 concerning the invention.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of display of embodiment 4.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows flowing of transaction of embodiment5 concerning the invention.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing example of display of the embodiment 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to drawing, several forms of implementation of thepresent invention are explained in detail hereafter.

First, basic structure of digital broadcasting integrated receiverdecoder (IRD) to which the invention is applied is explained withreference to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, broadcast signal of RF received in antenna 11 is inputtedinto tuner 12. Tuner 12 chooses signal of predeterminedtransmission-frequency band, and outputs it to demodulator 13. Afterconverting analog signal to digital signal, demodulator 13 demodulatedigital signal modulated by digital modulation process in transmittingside, such as QAM and QPSK, and outputs it to FEC decoder 14.

After carrying out error correction of the input signal by forward errorcorrection (FEC), FEC decoder 14 decodes signal coded by convolutionalcodings, such as Viterbi coding, Reed Solomon coding in transmittingside, and outputs decoded signal to descrambler 15. With scramble key,descrambler 15 descrambles the scrambled signal of video or audio of thespecified program, and outputs it to transport processor 16. Intransport processor 16, a desired service is chosen out of two or moreservices (broadcast program), which has been multiplexed in the form ofTS in transmitting side, and demultiplexing of video or audio signalwhich comprise the service, is carried out, and depacket transaction isperformed, and these signals return to compressed signals, and outputsto video decoder 17 or audio decoder 18.

Decode of the signal coded by video bandwidth-compression scheme of MPEG2 while storing picture frame by which decryption was carried out toSDRAM 19, in MPEG video decoder 17 is carried out. Video decoder 17outputs digital component signals Y, Cb, and Cr to NTSC encoder 112. InNTSC encoder 112, input signal is converted into analog compositesignal, and is outputted to ordinary TV receiver (not shown).

When notifying user about warning or confirmation, control signal fromtransport processor 16 is inputted into OSD processor 110, and graphicimage is created in OSD processor 110.

This graphic image is added to output of video decoder 17 in adder 111,and is outputted to NTSC encoder 112. In NTSC encoder 112, superpositiontransaction which piles up video and the above-mentioned graphic imageis made, and it is displayed in piles on screen of TV receiving set.NTSC encoder 112 can be displaced to encoder encodes to video signal ofother standards, such as PAL.

Audio data are decoded to data of MPEG audio standard, or data of AC3audio standard in audio decoder 18. Audio decoder 18 outputs digitalsound signal to audio digital-to-analog converter(DAC) 113, and audioDAC 113 converts input signal into analog sound signal, and outputs itto above-mentioned TV receiver on the one hand, in order to controlthese signals appropriately, host processor 114, and Dynamic RandomAccess Memory(DRAM) 115 and Read only Memory(ROM) 116 are prepared. SubMPU 117 which supports control of peripheral devices, such as remotecontrol input of IRD, Smart Card interface 118, etc. are connected tohost processor 114.

Host processor 114 performs control of demultiplexing transaction ofspecific program, exchanging Conditional Access (CA) system carried inIC card, and many data required for descramble transaction withdescrambler 15 or transport processor 16, for example, through SmartCard interface 118. Codes of processing programs, such as theabove-mentioned control of network, are stored in Read only Memory(ROM)116.

Information signals, such as PSI/SI extracted in transport processor 16,are outputted to DRAM 115. PS1/S1 information signals-accumulated atDRAM 115 are analyzed by host processor 114, carry out decode ofdemultiplexing information or the program related information, carry outmaintenance administration, and are used for Electronic Program Guide(EPG) displaying etc.

Hard Disc Drive unit (HDD) 119 is connected to bus line throughinterface controller 120, and is used for record and playback ofbroadcast signal. As shown in FIG. 1, HDD 119 may be built in IRD, andmay be connected to bus line to host processor 114 through interfacecontroller 120, or may connected to IRD through Input Output (I/O) portetc. externally. When IRD accepts instruction of real time recording orrecording reserve from user, IRD records signal of specified program toHDD 119 through interface controller 120 as an output of transportprocessor 16, performing the above processes from tuning todemultiplexing.

Moreover, conversely, when playback instruction is accepted, recordedbroadcast signal is inputted into transport processor 16 throughinterface controller 120 from HDD 119, and transaction fromdemultiplexing of specified program signal to decoding of video andaudio signals is performed. Video and audio signals which are decodedare reproduced for TV receiver with related information if needed.

Signal data recorded by HDD 119 are controlled by file format of filesystem as a part of OS mounted on host processor 114. Therefore, recordtransaction of broadcast signal data constitutes write-in handling tofile, playback transaction constitutes read-out handling from applicablefile, and attribute information, such as recordable capacity of HDD 119,the time and date of record file, are controlled on file system withrecorded data.

The above-mentioned series transaction is realized by applicationsoftware firmware, or driver software, which operates on OS.Specifically in host processor 114, recordable capacity of HDD 119 etc.is detected.

When asking user, host processor 114 controls OSD processor 110, anddisplays comment of warning or confirmation on screen of TV receiver(not shown) connected to NTSC encoder 112. User's desire isinteractively made by input to input units, such as remote controller(not shown). In IRD by the above-mentioned structure, embodiments of theinvention are explained concretely below.

Embodiment 1

In this embodiment, when free disk space on file system of HDD 119decreases, alarm display is performed. Transaction in case IRDinvestigates free disk space and carries out alarm display at the timeof record end of certain program is described with reference to flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

In process (S11) of FIG. 2, threshold of free disk space of file systemon HDD 119 is set up beforehand first. This threshold means criticalfree disk space of HDD 119.

Specifically, this value is previously set, for example, to 80% of HDD.By control from host processor 114, user is asked about whether 80% issufficient on screen of TV receiver connected to this IRD through OSDprocessor 110, or how much it will be made if it is vary, and it urgesto key input by remote controller, for example.

In process (S12), when host processor 114 of IRD detects recordtermination of program specified by user, host processor 114investigates free disk space of file system of HDD 119 at the time,through interface controller 120, in process (S13). In process (S14),host processor 114 compares the free disk space of HDD at the time withthreshold value of free disk space.

If free disk space of HDD in the time is smaller than threshold, themessage which means that free disk space has decreased is displayedthrough OSD processor 110 in process (S15) of FIG. 1.

In this case, you may display value of the present free disk space onscreen of TV receiver at the same time. Example of this alarm display isshown in FIG. 3.

When record termination is not detected in process (S12), when presentfree disk space of file system is larger than threshold, it returns toposition in front of process (S12), in process (S14).

In this embodiment, when free disk space decreases, by taking out alarmdisplay of the notice to user, free disk space reservation can bedemanded from user, and failure of program record by space deficiencycan be made few.

In addition, although the above explanation took up HDD as a storagemedia, other storage media manageable by file system, such as DVD-RAM,can also be used.

Embodiment 2

This embodiment is an example which shows user the file which should becarried out, deletion or transmission among record files on HDD, inorder to secure sufficient free disk space. IRD holds count of playbackas an attribute information on recorded file, and always have updatedand the count of playback as an attribute information is used .

Flow of this transaction is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, minimum count(NMP) of playback is beforehand set up in process (S21), and maximumnumber (NMF) of files which can be displayed is set up, in process(S22). As default value, for example, the minimum count (NMP) is set to3, and the maximum number (NMF) is set to 5.

By control from host processor 114, through OSD processor 110, the countof playback (NMP), and the number of display files (NMF) are inquired ofuser on screen of TV receiver. If user expects different (NMP) or (NMF),user inputs the value to expect, from remote controller. Host processor114 of IRD asks user whether candidate files which should be deleted ortransmitted are displayed, in process (S23).

When user desires viewing of candidate files, all files on file systemare arranged sequentially from what has many counts of playback, inserial transactions from process (S24).

First, the number (NF) of files which fulfills conditions of count ofplayback is zeroed, in process (S25). Next, in process (S26), comparejudgment of whether the count (NP) of playback is larger than theminimum count (NMP) of playback about each file is carried out. Inprocess (S27), the number (NF) is compared with the number (NMF) of themaximum display files.

When the number (NF) is smaller than the maximum number (NMF), inprocess (S28), for example, identifier of the file is registered intoplayback count managing table with the count (NP). Next, increment ofthe number (NF) of files which fulfills conditions of playback count iscarried out in process (S29). Transaction goes back to process (S26),and next file is examined.

When the playback count (NP) is smaller than the threshold count (NMP)in process (S26), and when the number (NF) of files which fulfillsconditions is smaller than the maximum number (NMF) in process (S27),increment is not carried out in process (S29).

Thus, files which playback count (NP) exceeds threshold (NMP) set up inprocess (S21) are selected within the limit of the number (NMF) of themaximum files set up in process (S22), and, for example, identifier ofthose files is registered into playback count managing table.

After this transaction is completed, host processor 114 shows user nameof this applicable files etc. through OSD processor 110 in process(S211), referring to playback count managing table completed in process(S210). The example of display is shown in FIG. 5.

The example of display shows that there are two files which carry outplayback 3 times or more. When not requesting display specification ofapplicable file in process (S23), or when playback count (NP) does notreach threshold (NMP) in process (S26), transaction returns to positionbefore process (S23).

Moreover, when the number (NF) of files which implements conditionsexceeds the number (NMF) of the maximum file displays in process (S27),at the time, registration to playback count managing table in process(S28) is stopped, and it shifts to reference of playback count managingtable in process (S210). A series of file by which sorting was carriedout to the order of playback count is once wholly registered intomanaging table, and files may be displayed in order by the number (NMF)of the maximum display files.

In this embodiment, when registered files reached the number (NMF),registration of files stopped. But, it is probable to display thesefiles of the number (NMF) after completion of picking up filessatisfying the condition of threshold (NMP).

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, by showing user file with manyplayback counts in order according to user's request, user can performfile curtailment or move transaction efficiently, and free disk spacecan be secured after all.

Although the above explanation took up HDD as a storage media, also inthis embodiment, other storage media manageable in file system such asDVD-RAM etc. can be used.

Moreover, in this embodiment, although applicable file was shownaccording to user's request, you may show these files with alarm displayfree disk space is few, combining case of embodiment 1.

After presentation of applicable file, check displaying of whetherdeletion or transfer of applicable file is carried out is performed, andas long as user expects, you may be made to perform those transactions.

Embodiment 3

This embodiment is an example to periodically delete deletable files onHDD 119 in order to secure sufficient free disk space, without needinguser's effort. Host processor 114 of IRD memorizes and updates expirydate(ED) of file as an attribute information on file recorded. Thisembodiment describes case where deletion process is carried out forevery constant time using this expiry date.

Expiry date of file is controlled, for example, per days using 4 bits asshown in FIG. 6.

When record file is created newly, seven days will be givenautomatically as a default value. And while date passes, decrement ofthis value is carried out. If expiry date (ED) of file becomes zero,host processor 114 deletes the applicable file as expiration. Expirydate of file can be changed by user.

For example, when host processor 114 controls OSD processor 110 whenfile is created newly, and default expiry date of this new file issuperimposed over video on TV receiver, and whether it is proper inseven days is inquired. When user's desire differs, it urges user toinput desirable expiry date from remote controller.

When user wants to hold the file on HDD 119 for the time being, expirydate can be set as indefinite period (value 15). User can also set upexpiry date (ED) shorter than for seven days. Flowing of the transactionis shown in FIG. 7. Threshold of standby time (TMS), i.e., check up timeinterval of file, for example, 24 hours, is previously set up in process(S31), and standby time is clocked in process (S32).

Transaction detects file which can be deleted on file system and willdelete predetermined time below according to process (S34) in process(S33), if it passes and standby time (TS) becomes larger than thisthreshold (TMS) is repeated. That is, if unverified file exists on filesystem in process (S34), the expiry date attribute of the file isreferred to in process (S35).

When the value (ED) of a file is zero, i.e., expiry date passes, inprocess (S36), it judges that deletion of the file is possible and thefile is deleted in process (S37). After repeating this transaction forall files on file system and completing this, standby time is reset inprocess (S38). In process (S33), when standby time (TS) does not reachstandby time threshold (TMS), it returns to position before process(S32).

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, free disk space of HDD 119 canbe efficiently secured by having function to which IRD performs deletionof unnecessary file periodically, without spending user's effort andtime.

In addition, if user want confirmation of deleting the file havingpassed expiry date in advance, it can also set up so that it may do so.Such confirmation can prevent from deleting material file before user'snotice.

Although the above explanation took up HDD as a storage media, otherstorage media controllable by file system, such as DVD-RAM, can also beused. The above-stated automatic delete function may be optional anduser may choose the function.

Embodiment 4

This embodiment is an example which prevents depletion of free diskspace produced by file neglect over long period of time after record, bychecking whether it transmits to other media etc. immediately afterrecord end at the time of record assignment by user.

Flowing of the transaction is shown in FIG. 8. First, in process (S41),host processor 114 of IRD accepts record instruction to record onvideotape from user. In process (S42), host processor 114 controls todisplay graphic pattern shown in FIG. 9, etc. for checking file transferon screen of TV receiver (not shown).

When transfer instruction of user is accepted with remote controlleretc. in process (S43), whether the file system of other media can bewritten in is checked, in process (S44). For example, if it is casewhere it is storage (accumulation) media by which external connection ofthis is made, it will check whether the file system is recognized fromIRD, or whether free disk space can be secured and write-in ispermitted. If the storage media is written in, viewing which demandsinput of destination from user is performed in process (S45).

When two or more storage media can be written in, those storage mediaare displayed on screen of TV receiver, and to ask user so thatselection decision of the either may be carried out by cursor key. Ifinput destination is accepted in process (S46), file transfertransaction is performed in process (S47). In case of not acceptinginput of destination, it asks user for confirmation whether filetransfer is quitted in process (S48). In process (S49), if user consentsto file transfer termination with remote controller, transfertransaction is ended.

Moreover, when write-in is not made in process (S44), confirmation thatwrite-in cannot carry out, and file transfer is terminated is displayedin process (S410). Transaction is ended if transfer termination isaccepted in process (S411). Moreover, in process (S43), when there is notransfer designation, transaction is ended.

As mentioned above, by this embodiment, at the time of record assignmentof user, host processor 114 of IRD can prevent depletion of free diskspace produced by file neglect over long period of time after record,and can secure free disk space of HDD 119 by checking whether ittransmits to other media etc. immediately after recording. Although theabove explanation took up HDD as a storage media, other storage mediacontrollable by file system, such as DVD-RAM, can also be used.

Embodiment 5

This embodiment is an example which prevents depletion of free diskspace produced by file neglect over long period of time after record, bychecking whether this file is immediately deleted and transmitted at thetime of playback end of program.

Flowing of the transaction is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, first, ifplayback termination of program is detected in process (S51), hostprocessor 114 of IRD will control OSD processor 110 in process (S52),and displays viewing of file deletion confirmed, shown in FIG. 11 onscreen of TV receiver connected to this IRD. When user's deletiondesignation is accepted from remote controller etc. in process (S53),deletion transaction of file is actually performed in process (S54).Moreover, in not deleting applicable file, it asks user for confirmationby taking out file transfer check viewing which was shown in FIG. 9, onscreen of TV receiver. In process (S55), when transfer designation fromuser is accepted, it checks whether write-in is possible for other filesystems, such as other media in process (S56).

For example, if it is case where it is storage media by which externalconnection of this is made, it will check whether the file system isrecognized from IRD, or free disk space can be secured and write-inpermission is carried out. If write-in to this storage (accumulation)media is possible, in process (S57), viewing which demands input ofdestination from user is performed.

When there are two or more storage media in which write-in is possible,those storage media are displayed on screen of TV receiver, and it ispossible to make user choose with cursor. If destination input isaccepted in process (S58), file transfer transaction is performed inprocess (S59).

When not accepting destination input, check display of whether filetransfer is quitted by process (S510) is carried out to user. Whentermination is accepted by user's selection input in process (S511),file transfer transaction is ended.

Moreover, when write-in is not made in process (S56), confirmation ofthe notice and file transfer termination is displayed in process (S512),and if transfer termination is accepted in process (S513), file transfertransaction will be ended. Moreover, in process (S55), when there is notransfer designation, the transaction is ended.

As mentioned above, by this embodiment, by IRD checking whether deletionor transfer to other media, etc. is immediately confirmed at the time ofplayback end of program, depletion of free disk space produced by fileneglect over long period of time after record can be prevented, and freedisk space of HDD 119 can be secured. Although the above explanationtook up HDD as a storage media, other storage media controllable by filesystem, such as DVD-RAM, can also be used. In the invention, directorycan substitute for file in which program is recorded.

In broadcasting receiver by the invention, transaction is processed sothat free space on storage media may be secured previously, ortransaction by user may be urged efficiently and effectively. Therefore,the present invention can provide broadcasting receiver which realizesuser's request of wanting recording favorite program anytime andwatching it.

Obviously, many, modifications and variations of this invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, this inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A broadcasting receiver comprising: program selection means for choosing a signal of at least one program from received digital broadcasting signals; program record means for creating a file or a directory in a storage media, and for recording said at least one program chosen by said program selection means; related information administration means for controlling and updating at least one attribute of recordable space, expiry date, playback count and record time of the at least one program recorded by said record means; related information display control means for controlling display of related information of record playback controlled and updated by said related information administration means; and performing means for performing deletion of said file or said directory selected by a user, wherein, said related information administration means sorts a plurality of files or a directory of recorded programs in order of at least one attribute including at least one of record time, record volume, expiry date, or playback count, and designates said related information display control means to display the at least one attribute. 